This standard will define the standard names for aquatic plant names including algae, microalgae, samphire, etc to be used in Australia; and specify when standard names are to be used. Annex A of the standard will provide a list of agreed standard names for aquatic plants and will form part of the standard.

Plants from marine and freshwater environments are covered by this standard, irrespective of the country of origin.

The scope of the standard is intentionally broad, but the species to be considered initially for inclusion in the Australian Standard for aquatic plant names will be limited to edible marine algae, microalgae, and samphire from marine environments but species from freshwater environments can be included as necessary.

Other commercial species may be added at a later time as necessary.

Not developing a standard would result in marketplace confusion.

This project is to get the process rolling and develop an initial standard.

The project will also include the maintenance of the proposed standard for the first three years